Method for making an arm for a hinged structure such as a rocker arm for an aircraft landing-gear structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for making an arm for a hinged structure such as an aircraft landing gear structure, this arm comprising a main body ( 30; 130; 230 ) extending in a longitudinal direction (AP; BP; CP), and including an interface ( 13; 113; 213 ) such as a yoke radially protruding from the main body, this method including the steps of: making an insert ( 11; 211 ) including a base ( 12; 212 ) carrying the interface; making a mandrel ( 10; 110 ) integrating the base of the insert so that a portion of the external surface of this mandrel is delimited by a portion of the external face ( 17; 217 ) of the base of the insert; applying one or more layers of reinforcing fibers ( 31; 131; 231 ) around the mandrel and over all its length, so that each layer has the interface ( 13; 113; 213 ) passing through it without covering the interface; injecting resin into the layer or layers of reinforcing fibers ( 31; 131; 231 ) and at the level of the area of contact ( 32 ) of these layers ( 31 ) with the external face ( 17; 217 ) of the base; and polymerizing the resin to bind rigidly the layers of reinforcing fibers and the base of the insert.

1 . A method for making an arm for a hinged structure such as an aircraft landing gear structure, this arm comprising a main body ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ) extending in a longitudinal direction (AP; BP; CP), and including an interface ( 13 ;  113 ;  213 ) such as a yoke radially protruding from the main body, this method including the steps of:
 making an insert ( 11 ;  211 ) including a base ( 12 ;  212 ) carrying the interface;   making a mandrel ( 10 ;  110 ) integrating the base of the insert so that a portion of the external surface of this mandrel is delimited by a portion of the external face ( 17 ;  217 ) of the base of the insert;   applying one or more layers of reinforcing fibers ( 31 ;  131 ;  231 ) around the mandrel and over all its length, so that each layer has the interface ( 13 ;  113 ;  213 ) passing through it without covering the interface;   injecting resin into the layer or layers of reinforcing fibers ( 31 ;  131 ;  231 ) and at the level of the area of contact ( 32 ) of these layers ( 31 ) with the external face ( 17 ;  217 ) of the base; and   
       polymerizing the resin to bind rigidly the layers of reinforcing fibers and the base of the insert. 
     
     
         2 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base ( 12 ;  212 ) has a generally tubular shape. 
     
     
         3 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel ( 10 ;  110 ) is formed in line with the external face of the base ( 17 ;  217 ) with at least one sleeve ( 23 ;  24 ). 
     
     
         4 . The method claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a sealed junction ( 25 ,  26 ) is made between the base ( 12 ;  212 ) and each sleeve ( 23 ,  24 ). 
     
     
         5 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the tubular base ( 12 ;  212 ) has a longitudinal section of beveled shape ( 19 ,  20 ) adapted to distribute the forces on the internal walls of the main body ( 30 ;  130 ;  230 ). 
     
     
         6 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the mandrel ( 10 ;  110 ) is formed in line with the external face of the base ( 17 ;  217 ) with at least one sleeve ( 23 ;  24 ).